Diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder is not well understood by the general public, or by medical and mental health professionals. As a result, the majority of people with social anxiety disorder may be misdiagnosed or untreated.

The diagnosis of social anxiety disorder is based on the following criteria being present for 6 months or more:

General symptoms may include:

Feared social situations

Exposure to unfamiliar people or scrutiny

Fear of doing something humiliating or embarrassing

Disruption of ability to manage daily life activities, such as:

Normal routines

Success in school

Career

Social relationships

Anxiety in social situations is very distressing, but recognized as excessive or unreasonable

The process of making the diagnosis may include the following:

Initial assessment—Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. You may be asked how long the symptoms have been present, how distressing they are, and how they affect your ability to function. You may be given a psychological assessment as well.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.